Study to evaluate opportunities for public-private partnerships for veterans’ care

Last Updated
by Chris Zellers, WVIA Admin on

The Senate adopted a resolution to study options to provide additional care for veterans, according to the proposal’s sponsor Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks).

Senate Resolution 171 directs the Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) to study the potential cost-savings and effectiveness of allowing the state’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to partner with the private sector to provide additional care for veterans.

“This study will show if the state can alleviate waiting lists at state-owned veterans care homes and allow veterans to be closer to home,” Argall said. “I’m hopeful we can look at all ways to partner with the private sector to provide expanded care for our veterans.”

The study will determine how many veterans are on waiting lists to be placed in state-owned veterans care homes, the average cost per day for care and treatment for a veteran at a state-owned veterans care facility compared to a privately owned health care facility, and the projected number of veterans who will require care over the next 10 years in Pennsylvania.

Argall’s resolution will also require the LBFC to review programs in other states that allow for public-private partnerships.